About two years ago I started fencing at my college in a small club that had started the previous year. The club is only six or seven people, many of whom are completely inexperienced in martial arts or swordplay; it didn't take long to figure out my opponents weaknesses.

It turns out that every member of the club, the instructor excluded, is vulnerable to low thrusts or slashes to the torso (the stomach, actually). These low attacks are nice, in that they let me score uncontested hits, but I've found that the rear of my legs will burn for a day or two after a good set of matches. Is this the result of poor stretching, poor technique, a combination of both, or some other factor?

Furthermore, I've heard bits and pieces about tai-chi and, while I'm by no means experienced enough with a rapier to consider a second style, I was hoping someone could tell me a little bit about it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rags:About two years ago I started fencing at my college in a small club that had started the previous year. The club is only six or seven people, many of whom are completely inexperienced in martial arts or swordplay; it didn't take long to figure out my opponents weaknesses.

It turns out that every member of the club, the instructor excluded, is vulnerable to low thrusts or slashes to the torso (the stomach, actually). These low attacks are nice, in that they let me score uncontested hits, but I've found that the rear of my legs will burn for a day or two after a good set of matches. Is this the result of poor stretching, poor technique, a combination of both, or some other factor?

Furthermore, I've heard bits and pieces about tai-chi and, while I'm by no means experienced enough with a rapier to consider a second style, I was hoping someone could tell me a little bit about it.

Be gentle, it's my first post. Do not rend the noob.

at least not too much.[/QUOTE]

Low thrusts are easy to get on a fencer with too high of a guard/stance. You are probably making use of a lower stance and are thrusting off your rear foot, so its plain to see why your points are surfacing there. Add a little feinting, and you'll get that target every time. The burning and soreness in your legs can actually be attributed to your low stance and shuffling footwork. This is normal in both eastern and western fencing, but If it bothers you that much, try supplementing a MA that uses a lot of low stances (E.g. Some of Shaolin, Shotokan, Hung Gar, etc.). This will get you used to moving around in a lower stance comfortably (and give you a real nice ass, lol). Remember, the secret to fencing is...1, 2, Die!

Being sore is to be expected, but after that much experience, your legs should not be "burning". I would suggest increasing your stretches and if it continues, see either a doctor or fencing master. There could be a problem with either your stance (are you lunging with your toes pointing backwards?) or your muscles themselves (is something sprained or pulled?). Good luck

Also, keep hitting them like that until your guys learn to circle 8, being weak enough for it to work every time in unacceptable.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rags:About two years ago I started fencing at my college in a small club that had started the previous year. The club is only six or seven people, many of whom are completely inexperienced in martial arts or swordplay; it didn't take long to figure out my opponents weaknesses.

It turns out that every member of the club, the instructor excluded, is vulnerable to low thrusts or slashes to the torso (the stomach, actually).[/QUOTE]

Why are they "vulnerable"? Are they simply inexperienced fencers?

[QUOTE]These low attacks are nice, in that they let me score uncontested hits...[/QUOTE]

Again, why are the hits "uncontested"? Are these folks unfamiliar with low-line parries? Sounds strange.

[QUOTE]Furthermore, I've heard bits and pieces about tai-chi and, while I'm by no means experienced enough with a rapier to consider a second style, I was hoping someone could tell me a little bit about it.[/QUOTE]

Whoa, hold on there--your post speaks of "Questions on Foil and Sabre Fencing", and now you're talking about a "rapier".

These are all different weapons.

What exactly do you train in?

[This message has been edited by Armed_Man_Piker (edited 01-03-2005).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Benjamin1986:The foil was originally designed to simulate rapier fighting.[/QUOTE]

No.

The "foil" (fleuret; floretto; et al), as it is defined today, is a practice weapon that was originally used for teaching the use of the smallsword, NOT the rapier.

[QUOTE]A person skilled in fencing should, in theory, be skilled in rapier combat.[/QUOTE]

Modern fencing and old rapier fencing share quite a bit of basic actions, but to claim--even "in theory"--that someone skilled in modern fencing should by definition also be skilled in rapier combat is a bit of a stretch.

Not to mention that the rapier fencing has been dead for a long time. There are schools that teach reconstructions on rapier combat, but there are no surviving traditions for that weapon.

I'm the only member of the club who attacks from low angles, so, as you said, they have no experience with low parries.

As Benjamin1986 already mentioned, the foil is meant to simulate the rapier. I spar with a foil, but train occasionally with a rapier to realize the weight difference and appreciate the origin of the sport/hobby/style (depending on whom you ask). I don't train with an actual sabre. I assume your confusion was the result of my mentioning both sabre and foil sparring, but only the rapier as a blade?

[edit] Just read your last post. I personally study classical fencing, as you defined it; however, the rest of the club is focused on sport fencing, though we are without electronic scoring equipment right now.

I'm the only member of the club who attacks from low angles, so, as you said, they have no experience with low parries.[/QUOTE]

And that frankly doesn't make much sense, unless you happen to have much more training than the other people in the club. Are they all complete novices? You claim that you started fencing "about two years ago", so I must assume that the other "six or seven people" at the club must have less training time than you, otherwise there should be no reason why they "have no experience with low parries", as you put it.

[QUOTE]As Benjamin1986 already mentioned, the foil is meant to simulate the rapier.[/QUOTE]

NO, the foil is NOT "meant to simulate the rapier". The modern-day foil (which is what I assume you study, based on your answer below) has no real connection with the rapier. Foil and (even more so) epee fencing are derived from the use of the SMALLSWORD. Do you know what the smallsword is?

During the 16th and 17th centuries, there were admittedly rapiers that were blunted (i.e., "foiled") for practice, but they should NOT be confused with the modern fencing foil.

[QUOTE]I spar with a foil, but train occasionally with a rapier to realize the weight difference and appreciate the origin of the sport/hobby/style (depending on whom you ask).[/QUOTE]

Considering you've only trained for 2 years, that's not a surprise--you should still be rooted in foil fencing, unless you belong to a club which simply throws new students into saber and/or epee classes, simply because they need fencers for those weapons (and that's unfortunately pretty common practice these days).

[QUOTE]I assume your confusion was the result of my mentioning both sabre and foil sparring, but only the rapier as a blade?[/QUOTE]

No, my "confusion" resulted from the fact that you were initially talking about modern fencing ("foil and saber"), and then brought up the rapier. There's no serious continuity there. Foil, epee, & saber fencing still exist as living combat sport traditions. Rapier fencing, on the other hand, has been dead a long time.

[QUOTE][edit] Just read your last post. I personally study classical fencing, as you defined it; however, the rest of the club is focused on sport fencing, though we are without electronic scoring equipment right now.[/QUOTE]

By your reply above, I assume you mean that you are taking a "classical" approach at what is otherwise a sport fencing club?

And I'm still a bit puzzled over where your "rapier fencing" fits in here--it's surely not something you've learned from your maestro or coach, unless he's teaching you some reconstruction outside of the modern fencing curriculum.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rags:It turns out that every member of the club, the instructor excluded, is vulnerable to low thrusts or slashes to the torso (the stomach, actually). These low attacks are nice, in that they let me score uncontested hits, but I've found that the rear of my legs will burn for a day or two after a good set of matches. Is this the result of poor stretching, poor technique, a combination of both, or some other factor?

[/QUOTE]

Um, have you asked your instructor yet? You should approach him if you have any injuries.

[QUOTE]Considering you've only trained for 2 years, that's not a surprise--you should still be rooted in foil fencing, unless you belong to a club which simply throws new students into saber and/or epee classes, simply because they need fencers for those weapons (and that's unfortunately pretty common practice these days).[/QUOTE]

I agree that new students should start off with foil, for a few weeks or so. Then they should be able to learn epee and sabre.

One is traditionally considered a novice in fencing until about 2 years of training (unless one is some sort of fencing phenom, that is). Therefore, one should engage in at least a couple of years of foil fencing, before moving on to saber or epee.